The election results represent a substantial endorsement of President Muizzu’s policy orientation towards China, signifying a departure from the Maldives’ longstanding relationship with India
Parliamentary elections in the Maldives took place on April 21, 2024, after being previously scheduled for March 17, 2024. The Maldivian people turned out in large numbers to cast their votes in this parliamentary election, which served as a test of President Mohamed Muizzu’s foreign policy shift towards China and away from the regional power and traditional benefactor, India.
The results delivered a resounding victory for Muizzu’s People’s National Congress (PNC) party and a heavy defeat for the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), which had secured a similar landslide win in the 2019 elections. The outcome has been viewed as an endorsement of Muizzu’s agenda to deepen economic cooperation with China and a rebuke of the pro-India MDP, which had aimed to disrupt efforts to realign the Maldives’ diplomatic orientation.
“All citizens should come out and exercise their right to vote as soon as possible,”- Mohamed Muizzu, President of the Maldives
– Mohamed Muizzu, President of the Maldives
Maldives Election: PNC Triumphs
The People’s National Congress (PNC), which fielded candidates for 90 out of the 93 seats in the Maldivian parliament Majlis, has emerged victorious in 66 out of the 86 seats for which results have been declared. This constitutes a resounding two-thirds majority in the legislative body.
This outcome will empower President Muizzu, perceived as harboring anti-India sentiments, to drive his policy agenda through parliament with relative ease. The distribution of seats has raised concerns in New Delhi, which has been monitoring Male’s gravitational shift towards Beijing ever since President Muizzu assumed the presidency last year.
Why This Result Is Important?
The Majlis exercises oversight over the Maldivian executive and has the authority to block presidential decisions. Before this election, PNC belonged to a coalition that held a minority position in the House. Consequently, despite Muizzu’s presidency, he lacked the political leverage to advance his policies.
During that time, the Majlis was predominantly controlled by the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), led by Muizzu’s pro-India predecessor Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, comprising 41 members. MDP is poised for a significant defeat now, securing victories in only around a dozen seats, as reported by news agency AFP.
Previously, while the MDP-dominated House obstructed many of Muizzu’s initiatives, opposition members openly criticized his stance against India. A senior aide of Muizzu informed news agency AFP earlier, “He (Muizzu) came to power promising to repatriate Indian troops, and he’s actively pursuing it. The parliament’s lack of cooperation has been a hindrance.” This outcome alters that dynamic.
This election results could potentially reinforce Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu’s pro-China stance. Since assuming office, the president has awarded significant infrastructure contracts to Chinese state-owned enterprises. His party’s electoral triumph is poised to remove most impediments for him.
China Vows Closer Maldives Ties
On Monday (April 22, 2024), China expressed its intention to enhance relations with the Maldives following the victory of President Mohamed Muizzu’s pro-Beijing party in parliamentary elections.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin stated, “China is committed to strengthening traditional friendship with the Maldives, increasing exchanges and cooperation across various sectors.” He also emphasized Beijing’s goal to “further deepen the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with the Maldives” and to “advance the establishment of a community with a shared future for both nations, benefiting their populations.”
Additionally, Wang congratulated the Maldives on the successful conduct of its parliamentary election and affirmed China’s respect for the decision made by the Maldivian people.
Muizzu’s Diplomatic Maneuvers
Since his victory in last year’s presidential election, Muizzu has intensified the island’s engagement with Beijing, a move that has raised concerns in New Delhi. Following his election, Muizzu traveled to Beijing and held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Upon his return, he emphasized, “Although we are small, it does not justify any form of bullying.” Although he didn’t specify any country, his statement was interpreted as directed towards India.
President Muizzu also advocated for the withdrawal of approximately 80 Indian soldiers who were deployed on the island for humanitarian purposes.
However, last month, Muizzu seemed to extend an olive branch by acknowledging India’s financial assistance to Male and stating, “India will remain the Maldives’ strongest ally.” By the end of last year, the Maldives owed India approximately $400.9 million.
India has thus far pursued a cautious approach and played down the strained relations. When questioned about the relationship between New Delhi and Male following Muizzu’s election, External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar remarked, “Neighbors are indispensable to each other. History and geography wield significant influence. There’s no escaping that reality.”
For China, bolstering its presence in the strategically vital Maldives is crucial for their broader Indian Ocean strategy, particularly at a time when the region holds immense geopolitical significance.In Conclusion, in the aftermath of the Maldives parliamentary elections, President Mohamed Muizzu’s People’s National Congress secured a resounding victory, consolidating a two-thirds majority in the Majlis. This outcome marks a significant endorsement of Muizzu’s pro-China agenda and signals a shift away from the Maldives’ traditional ties with India, raising concerns in New Delhi while China pledges to deepen ties with Male.
